Recognizing Child Abuse
The following signs may signal the presence of child abuse or neglect:

The child:
Reports being hurt, hit, kicked, or beaten by a parent, caretaker, or other adult.
Shows sudden changes in behavior, or school performance.
Has not received help for physical or medical problems brought to the parents’ attention.
Has learning problems (or difficulty concentrating) that cannot be attributed to specific physical or psychological causes.
Is always watchful, as though preparing for something bad to happen.
Lacks adult supervision.
Is overly compliant, passive, or withdrawn.
Comes to school, or other activities early, stays late, and does not want to go home.

The Parent:
Shows little concern for the child. ¦ Denies the existence of—or blames the child for—the child’s problems in school or at home.
Asks teachers, or other caretakers to use harsh physical discipline if the child misbehaves.
Sees the child as entirely bad, worthless, or burdensome.
Demands a level of physical or academic performance the child cannot achieve.
Looks primarily to the child for care, attention, and satisfaction of emotional needs.
The Parent and Child: ¦ Rarely touch or look at each other.
Consider their relationship as entirely negative.
State that they do not like each other, or that they hate each other.

Types of Abuse
The following are some signs often associated with particular types of child abuse and neglect: physical abuse, neglect, sexual abuse, and emotional abuse. It is important to note, however, these types of abuse are more typically found in combination than alone. A physically abused child, for example, is often emotionally abused as well, and a sexually abused child also may be neglected.

Signs of Physical Abuse
Consider the possibility of physical abuse when the child:
Reports injury by a parent, or another adult caregiver.
Has unexplained burns, bites, bruises, broken bones, or black eyes.
Has new and fading bruises, or other noticeable marks or scars.
Exhibits a change in demeanor after an absence from school.
Seems frightened of the parents and protests, or cries when it is time to go home.
Shrinks, cowers, or becomes anxious at the approach of adults.

Consider the possibility of physical abuse when the parent or other adult caregiver:
Offers conflicting, unconvincing, or no explanation for the child’s injury.
Describes the child as “evil,” or in some other very negative way.
Uses harsh physical discipline with the child. ¦ Has a history of abuse as a child.

Signs of Neglect
Consider the possibility of neglect when the child:
States that there is no one at home to provide care and supervision.
Is frequently absent from school.
Begs or steals food or money.
Lacks needed medical or dental care, immunizations, or eye glasses.
Is consistently dirty and has severe body odor.
Lacks sufficient clothing for the weather.
Abuses alcohol, or other drugs.
Consider the possibility of neglect when the parent or other adult caregiver:
Appears to be indifferent to the child.
Seems apathetic or depressed.
Behaves irrationally, or in a bizarre manner.
Is abusing alcohol, or other drugs.

Signs of Sexual Abuse
Consider the possibility of sexual abuse when the child:
Reports sexual abuse by a parent, caregiver, or another adult.
Has difficulty walking or sitting.
Suddenly refuses to change for gym, or to participate in physical activities.
Reports nightmares or bed wetting.
Experiences a sudden change in appetite.
Demonstrates bizarre, sophisticated, or unusual sexual knowledge or behavior.
Becomes pregnant or contracts a venereal disease, particularly if under age 14 or younger.
Runs away.

Consider the possibility of sexual abuse when the parent, caregiver, or other adult:
Is unduly protective of the child or severely limits the child’s contact with other children, especially of the opposite sex.
Is secretive and isolated.
Is jealous or controlling with family members.

Signs of Emotional Maltreatment
Consider the possibility of emotional maltreatment when the child:
Shows extremes in behavior, such as overly compliant or demanding behavior, extreme passivity, or aggression.
Is either inappropriately adult like (parenting other children, for example), or inappropriately infantile like (frequently rocking, or head-banging, in fetal position, for example).
Is delayed in physical or emotional development.
Has attempted suicide.
Reports a lack of attachment to the parent.

Consider the possibility of emotional maltreatment when the parent or other adult caregiver:
Constantly blames, belittles, or berates the child.
Is unconcerned about the child and refuses to consider offers of help for the child’s problems.
Overtly rejects the child.
Yells often at, and or swears at the child.

For more information, please contact:
Dan Hillman
Child Enrichment, Inc.
P.O. Box 12036
Augusta, Georgia 30914-2036
(706) 737-4631
DHillman@ChildEnrichment.org
WWW.ChildEnrichment.org